Current information

The coronavirus is raging everywhere and so unfortunately we also cannot start into the new whale watching season on April 3rd as planned. We will inform you on our website and on Facebook, as soon as an end to the crisis is in sight and we know when we can sail out again.

Report on Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

The Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are residents of the Strait of Gibraltar, roaming in ever-smaller pods over time. They show their tricks, like jumps, mainly at the beginning of the summer season.

Positions of Bottlenose Dolphins from 1999 to 2015

Our photo identification of Bottlenose Dolphins proves that this species is resident in the Strait of Gibraltar. However, there is now a steady decline in average group size. This could be due to a change in group dynamics or the morbillivirus epidemic. The population of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar did not seem to be affected by this virus at first, but perhaps not as severely.

We observe the playful behaviour typical of Bottlenose Dolphins especially at the beginning of the season. According to our records, however, this behaviour decreases continuously throughout the season. It could be a natural periodicity depending on the mating season, leading to the Bottlenose Dolphins becoming more socialized in spring. Or maybe they have got enough of whale watchers towards the end of the season.

Keydata from annual reports

2004

Photo ID of Bottlenose Dolphins suggests that also this species is resident in the Strait of Gibraltar

2005

Photo ID demonstrates that this species is resident in the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Strait we have four resident and six migrating cetaceans

2006

Largest pod: about 120 animals

It looks like their population is growing

2007

Largest pod: about 200 animals

It looks like a healthy population

2008

Largest pod: about 200 animals

2009

Bottlenose Dolphins seem not to be affected by the morbillivirus epidemic as the Pilot Whales are

Largest pod: 120 animals(The largest pods of Bottlenose Dolphins and Pilot Whales were only half as large as those of the season 2008)

2010

Sighted in "normal" numbers until middle of season

Started to vanish after midseason, which is reflected in an overall 40 % drop of sightings compared to the season of 2009

Largest pod: 200 animals

Only once sighting of a large pod of 110 dolphins in the second half of the season, in September

2011

More dolphins in the first half of the season

Largest pods with 100+15 and 120+20 adults+calves in June

2012

More dolphins in the first half of the season (until July)

In July: pod of 65+15 adults + calves(Only half the size than the largest one of the last season)

2013

More dolphins at the beginning of the season (April, May)

April: pod with 130+20 adults+calves

July: pod of 88 animals

October: pod of 70 animals

Rest of the season: pods of less than 50 animals

Population seems to be stable at first in the Strait of Gibraltar

2014

Larger pods with 50 – 95 animals from March to September

Largest pod: 80+15 adults+calves on August 3rd

Most babies and newborn in July, August and September (until late summer, same as Pilot Whales)

Average pod size: 20 animals (2013 it was 22 -; until 2007 still 24,5 animals)

2015

Large pods of 51 to 88 animals from June to October

Largest pod of 101 animals (inlcuding 10 calves and 1 newborn) on April 19th

Calves throughout the summer

Most newborn from July to September

Average pod size: 16 animals

2016

Larger pods of 50 and more animals from May to August

Largest pod of 170 animals on Mai 7th

August 29th: 155 animals

Calves throughout the summer, most from May to July

Most newborn in August and September

Average pod size: 15,8 animals

2017

Larger pods of more than 50 animals from April to September

Largest pods of 100 and 120 animals on June 15th and August 2nd respectively

Calves throughout the summer, most of them in April and May

Only 8 newborn from April to September, 3 of them in July

Overall, the newborn appeared one month earlier than those of the last season

Average pod size: 12 animals

2018

Larger pods of 40 and more Bottlenose Dolphins in July, August and October

Largest pod of 56 animals at August 9th

Average pod size: 12 animals (constant decrease since 1999)

Calves throughout the season, most of them in August(normally we observe most of them from April to June)